Nationals Notebook
Rizzo Makes His Mark, Opts to Fire Williams
|
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
Sunday, September 6, 2009
The Washington Nationals on Friday fired director of player development Bobby Williams, General Manager Mike Rizzo said. The departure of Williams, completing his third year overseeing the organization's farm system, represents the first significant front office change under Rizzo, who was given full-time general manager job on August 20.
Williams had a longstanding relationship with former general manager Jim Bowden, which led to his first job in pro baseball and, later, his first job with Washington. Williams had graduated from Rollins College, Bowden's alma mater, and later wrote application letters for jobs with every organization in baseball. He heard back from just one man, Bowden, who offered Williams a coaching job with Cincinnati's Rookie-level affiliate, the Billings Mustangs.
Williams joined the Nationals in 2005, first managing short-season Class A Vermont, then in 2006 managing Class A Savannah. He was placed in charge of the farm system in March 2007.
Under Williams's watch, Washington had several strong drafts, and its minor league system produced numerous pitching prospects -- but few promising position players.
Flores Could Pinch Hit
Catcher Jesús Flores, activated Friday after missing 105 games with a right shoulder contusion, is not yet able to get back behind the plate, but Nationals interim manager Jim Riggleman said he almost used Flores as a pinch hitter Friday night.
"He's ready to swing the bat," Riggleman said. "I'm a little hesitant just because of the timing factor. The longer we wait the longer it is since he's had his last at-bat, so that first one is going to have to come sometime."
Before the injury, Flores was batting .311 with four homers and 15 RBI. Riggleman said that with only five extra bench players other than Flores, and with Flores unable to play defense, the situation to put him at the plate has to be right.
Flores is not sure he will get back behind the plate before the end of the season.
"It's hard to answer that question right now," Flores said. "Everyone wants me to play, and myself too. But we've got to go slow and see how the shoulder [progresses]."
Staff writer Preston Williams contributed to this report.
